Hi Irv, My M15 had the normal fixed mount for the outboard, and after a few seasons dragging the foot of the outboard on a starboard tack, I finally decided to put in a lift mount - as per all the positive comments on the M-list.
I picked the Fulton Model MB17100134, which is the one with the lift springs. I had to make some modifications to the outboard mounting plate to get it to fit my Honda 2 HP the way I wanted it to work: i.e., I cut off some of the top of the plate to lower the motor. To do the job properly, make up some 1/4 inch plywood templates of the model outboard you intend to use: You need the propeller line at the bottom; the outboard mounting bracket location, and then you can start playing with the location of the lift mount on the stern. It's a lot easier just holding the lift mount and the 1/4 inch plywood mock-up of the outboard, than trying to juggle both the mount and a real outboard while trying to make pencil marks as to the proper mounting location. Of course, if you have some well muscled help available, then you can skip the mock-up step, but the mock-up does make for less sweat and greater conviction that you have the right spot! After rereading your message, I gave you the answer to a non-asked question. You ask, what kind of outboard? The first part of the answer is a 4 stroke outboard. Why? No mixing oil and gasoline for a fuel; 4 cycles run cleaner and more reliably (no fouled spark plugs, which 2 cycles do with annoying regularity - and always at the worst possible times); better fuel consumption; and they meet all EPA regulations, which will gradually limit or eliminate 2 cycle outboards. As to Model: Most of us on the M list have had excellent experience with Honda motors. You would most likely want about a 4 HP motor for an M17, and they come with Forward, Neutral and Reverse - which is what you need for getting in and out of slips and Marinas. My 2 HP Honda pushed Eugene's M17 up the Thames River against an outgoing tide, with a yawlboat alongside, and three people in the M17; so a 2 HP will do the job, but 4 HP is probably the better choice. You'll need input from the other M17 owners as to their preferences - they have the actual experience. The other question is long shaft or sort shaft. My Honda is a short shaft and I find it works very well. If you are in a real seaway, with someone on the bow changing down a headsail, then the long shaft might be the better choice, but that depends on your sailing area; do you want to motor when you could be sailing? You need M17 input for those answers. Connie _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
